Transmission control mechanism



1947' J. c. AUTEN 2,43 ,710

TRANSMISSION CONTROL MECHANISM Original Filed April 4, 1945 ii 6s 1 N VEN TOR.

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Patented Dec. 16, 1947 2,432,710 TRANSMISSION CONTROL MECHANISM Jay C.Auten,

Chrysler Corporation, corporation of Delaware April 4, 1945, Serial No.

Original application Royal Oak, Mich, assignor to Highland Park, Mich.,a

586,498. Divided and this application February 21, 1946, SerialNo.649,193

15 Claims. (Cl. 74484) This invention relates to transmission controlmechanism and refers more particularly to improvements in transmissionremote shift mechanism adapted for mounting on motor vehicle steeringposts.

This application is a division of my copending application, Serial No586,498, filed April 4, 1945.

It is an object of my invention to provide a control which is lesslikely to rattle than known devices and which will give better serviceand have longer life, also a control mechanism having improvedcharacteristics of thrust application from the hand lever to the mainsteering post mounted selector operating control rod.

Another object is to provide a control mechanism which is assembled froma minimum of component parts.

A further object is to provide a control mechanism that transmits aminimum of side thrust to the control rod.

Further objects and advantages of my invention reside in the combinationand arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a typical power plant and steeringwheel installation for a motor vehicle showing my invention appliedthereto;

.Fig. 2 is a plan view of the steering wheel and driver operable shiftlever as viewed by the vehicle driver;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevational view through the shift lever andconnection to the steering post mounted control rod;

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional plan view taken as indicated by line 4-4 ofFig. 3;

'Fig. 5 is a sectional elevational view taken as indicated by line 5-5of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevational view similar to the Fig. 3 assemblybut illustrating the shift lever in its upwardly swung position, amodified type or pins have been illustrated in this view.

In the drawings I have illustrated my invention in connection with amotor vehicle comprising the'well known engineA, clutch B, and any typeof transmission C which is adapted to be manipulated at least in part bythe vehicle driver, In general, my invention provides improvements in;the transmission control mechanism illustrated in the patentsto F. W.Slack No..2,291,11l of July 28, 1942 and O. E. Fishburn No. 2,284,191 ofMay 28, 1942 and maybe employed to advantage .in controlling theshiftfunctions .of various types of;

transmissions other than those illustrated in these patents.

My control mechanism is especially adapted for mounting on theconventional steering post #5 below the steering wheel [5, this steeringpost having its axis inclined forwardly and downwardly from the steeringwheel. A main control rod D extends longitudinally adjacent the post [5and is adapted to select and operate the transmission control elementsfor forward and reverse speed ratio drives as in the transmissions ofthe aforesaid patents, for example. When rod D is adjusted from aneutral position in the direction of its axis, such motion istransmitted through any suitable operating connection, such as throughthe Bowden wire H, to the transmission selector lever 18. When rod D isrotated about its axis such motion is transmitted through any suitableoperating connections, such as through the link and lever system I9,2!], 21, to the transmission lever 22 thereby to operate thetransmission speed ratio control element which has been selected bylongitudinal movement of rod D.

Rod D may be suitably guided adjacent its lower end to accommodate itsrotary and longitudinal movements as in the bracket 24 mounted on postl5. Adjacent its upper end rod D is guided by a bushing 26 which isfixed in a bracket 2'! which in turn is fixed to post I 5. In Fig. 3 thebushing 26 has a press fit in bracket 21, this bushing having an annularflange 28 at its upper end resting on the upper face of the bracket. Aswill presently be apparent, the bushing 26 serves as a fixed fulcrumsupport for the shift lever on the post l5.

At its upper end rod D is formed with a flattened laterally elongatedlever-forming head portion 29 slotted at 30 and 3i. The slot 3| opensoutwardly at the lever portion of head 29 and slidably receives theoperating pin 32. The slot 36 is vertically elongated to slidablyreceive a second similar pin 33. A shift lever E comprises a hollowsteel stamping terminating outwardly in a stem portion 34, threaded toreceive the handle or knob 35 adapted to be grasped by the driver inmanipulating lever E. If desired, the outer end of shift lever E may beformed as an integral part of the lever instead of as a separate partconnected thereto. At its inner end, the walls of lever E form a housingfor the rod head 29, the sides 36 of the latter slidably engaging theinner side faces 31 of lever E thereby maintaining the lever againstlateral displacement relative to rod D. The pins 32 and 33 are fastenedto the side walls of lever E. The housing portion of lever E opensdownwardly at 38 above bushing 28 and for providing a slidable fulcrummounting of lever E on bushing 25, lever fulcrumin rockers 39 arecarried by the lever. These rockers or cams are formed adjacent thelower boundary of opening 38 having shift lever supporting faces adaptedto bear on the upper face of bushing flange 28. Rockers 39 are spacedfrom each other at opposite sides of axis X-X of rod D, the rockersextending in the general direction of the shift lever E so as tointersect a plane through axis X-X transversely to lever E.

The fulcrum point for lever E remains, during operation of the lever,substantially in a plane through axis XX transverse to the lever. It isdesirable to maintain the fulcrum point closely adjacent the rod axis XXto minimize lateral loads on rod D and this has been accomplished in theaccompanying embodiments of my invention.

The pins 32 and 33 supported between the depending side walls of lever Eand cooperating with the slotted formation of the lever head 29 effectlift of the rod D in response to lift of lever handle 35 and alsomaintain lever E positioned against undesired displacement in thedirection of its length transversely to the axis X-X, and cooperate withthe flanges 39 and fulcrum bushing 25 to guide up and down shiftingmovements of lever E. The pin 33 and vertically elongated slot 3!! serveto hold the lever E in position lengthwise thereof and at the same timeallow the head 29 to be displaced upwardly within lever E when thelatter is lifted to effect the selecting axial shift of rod D.

In the Fig. 3 position of the parts with the lever E in its lowermostneutral position the pin 33 engages the upper end of slot ,3!) and whenthe lever is fully swingingly raised to its Fig. 6 position then pin 33(shown as roller 43 in Fig. 6) engagesthe lower end of slot 30. Inlifting lever E the pin 32 moves about the axis of pin 33 and itsvertical motion is transmitted to head 29. The horizontal component ofits motion is absorbed in slot 3!. Since only the vertical component ofmotion of pin 32 is transmitted to head 29 there is a minimum of sidethrust rod D.

The flanges 39 are preferably of arcuate formation on a radius R aboutthe axis of pin 33 and this axis preferably intersects axis X-X or liesclosely adjacent thereto in order to cause lever E to swing verticallyabout the axis of rod D without undue side thrust thereon and in orderto maintain a fixed distance R between the lever axis in pin 33 and thefulcrum surface 28. Dur ing upward shift of lever E from Fig. 3 to Fig.6', the lever axis of rotation in pin 33 has an imperceptibledisplacement laterally of axis XX and the lever is free to so move byslight slip at the fulcrum support 28.

Following present known arrangements in remote gearshift mechanisms ingeneral use, rod D is preferably biased downwardly at some con-- venientpoint such as by spring 4| (Fig. 1). A more complete description of thebiasing means may be found in my copending application Serial No.586,498 filed April i, 1945. This serves to maintain lever E in its Fig.3 neutral downwardly swung position known as the highspeed range readyto be rotated forwardly about axis X-X to the position E in Fig. 2 forforward transmission drive setting or rearward to E for forward drive inhigh. Lever E is lifted in neutral and then moved forward about axis XXfor reverse, or rearward for forward drive in low. this latter 'with apair of elongated slots position being omitted in some well-known shiftarrangements especially where the manual shifts are supplemented byautomatic shift functions in the transmission.

With lever E in its Fig. 3 neutral position, rod D is biased downwardcausing head 29 to engage the top portion of pin 33 thereby forcing thelever E to seat at its flanges 39 on the bushing flange 28 stationarilymounted on the post [5. Rotation of lever E either fore or aft willcause the lever and rod D to rotate as a unit about axis X-X, head 29fitting the side walls of lever E. During this movement flanges 39rot-atably slidably bear on the bushing flange 28.

When lever E is lifted from the Fig. 3 neutral position, flanges 39 wipeacross flange 28 at the bushing contact substantially in a planetransversely to the shift lever through axis XX or closely adjacentthereto as in Fig. 3 while the pin 32 lifts the head 29 until the partsare brought to the Fig. 6 position. During this lift, the lever Erotates about the axis in pin 33 in providing a mechanical advantageforlifting rod D in the ratio of the effective lengths of lever E andthe distance pin 32 is offset from pin 33. After the lever has beenlifted then it is swung about axis X-X when in the Fig. 6 position. TheWiping and rotating movements of flange 39 on flange 28 bring intoaction at different times the various portions of flanges 39 with thevarious portions of flange 28 so that there is no tendency to Wear agroove in the fulcrum surface of flange 28.

In Fig. 6 rollers 49 and 43 have been substituted for pins 33 and 32respectively. The rollers perform the function of the pins but provide aminimum of friction thus facilitating ease of shift of lever E. The Fig.6 arrangement is otherwise the same as that set forth in Fig. 3, itbeing noted that in Fig. 6 the lever E is illustrated in its raisedposition.

I claim:

1. In a steering column mounted control mechanism for selectivelyoperating speed ratio controls of a motor vehicle transmission, a mainrotatable and reciprocatory control rod having its axis extendinggenerally longitudinally of the steering column and adapted foroperative connection with the transmission, said rod having its upperend provided with a lever portion rigidly connected to said rod andoffset laterally therefrom, a shift lever having an outer end portionadapted to be rasped by the vehicle driver and a hollow inner endportion within which said offset lever portion is disposed therebyhousing said lever poi.- tion within said hollow end portion andproviding an operative connection between said shift lever and saidoifset lever portion such that rotary shifting movements of said shiftlever about said rod axis cause said rod to rotate about said axis withsaid shift lever, said hollow end portion of the shift lever having anopening through which said rod extends, said operating lever and saidoffset lever portion being operatively connected to transmit to eachother motion parallel to said rod axis, one of said levers beingprovided perpendicular to and offset from each other, the other oflevers carrying a air of members respectively engaging said slots.

2. In a steering column mounted control mechanism for selectivelyoperating speed ratio controls of a motor vehicle transmission, a mainrotatable and reciprocatory control rod having its axis extendinggenerally longitudinally of the steerin column and adapted for operativeconnection with the transmission; said rod" having its" upper end fprovided with a leverportionzri'gidly connected to said rod and offsetlaterally there from, a shift 'liver' having an outer' end portionadapted to be graspedb'y the vehicle driver and a hollow inner endportion within which saidofiset lever portion is disposedthereby'housingsaid lever portion within said hollow end-portion andproviding an operative connection betweensaid shiftlever and said offsetlever portionsuch that rotaryshifting movements of said shift leverabout said rod axis cause said' rod to rotate about said axis with'said'shift lever, said hollow end portion of the shift lever having anopening through which said rods extends, said rod lever portion havingan elongated slot therethrough extending along the axis of said rod anda sec= 0nd slot opening laterally ou'twardl'y-insaid ofi setlever'portion transversely of the first said slot, and apair of memberscarried by said shift lever and extending transversely ofsa-id hollowportion in engagement with said slots respectively for providing anoperable connection between said rod and shift lever.

3. In a steering column mounted control mechanism for selectivelyoperating speed ratio controls of a motor vehicle transmission, a mainro'' tatable and reciprocatory control rod having its axis extendinggenerally" longitudinally of the steering column and adapted foroperative con necticnwith the transmission, said rod havingits upper endprovided with a lever portion rigidly connected to said rod and offsetlaterally therefrom. a shift lever having an'outer end portion adaptedtobe grasped by the vehicle driver and a hollow inner end portion withinwhich saidoff set lever portion'is disposed thereby housing said leverportion within said hollow end portion and providing an operativeconnection'between said shift lever and said offset lever portionsuch'that rotary shifting movements of said shift lever about said rodaxis cause said rod to rotate about said axis with said shift lever,said'hollow end portion of the shift lever having anopening throughwhich said rod extends, said rod lever portion having an elongatedslot'therethrough extending along the axis'of saidrod and a second slotopening laterally outwardly in said offset lever portions transverselyof the first said slot, and a pair of rollers carried by'said shiftlever and extending transversely of. said hollow portion in engagementwith said'slots respectively for'providing an operable connectionbetween said rod and shift lever.

4. In a steering column mounted controlmechanism for selectivelyoperating speed ratio-controls of a motor vehicle transmission, amainrotatable andreciprocatory control rod"havingf its axis extendinggenerally longitudinally of the steering column and adapted foroperative connection Withthe transmission, said rod havingiits upper endprovided'with a, lever portion rigidly connected to saidrod and offsetlaterall v therefrom, a shift leverrhaving an outer-.endportion adaptedto be grasped by the vehicle driver and a'holl'ow inner endportionwithin which said olf set lever portion is disposed thereby housing saidlever portion within saidholl'ow endportion and providing an operativeconnection between said shift lever andsaidoff's'et lever portion suchthat rotary shifting movements of said shift lever about said rod axiscause saidrod to rotateabout said axiswith said shift lever, said hollowend portion ofthe shift lever having an opening through which said rodextends, said rod'lever portion'i having an elongated slot" therethrougnextending'along the: axis- 0f said rod and a sec on'dslot extendinglaterallydn said offset lever portion transversely of thelfirst saidslot, and a pair of rollers carriedibyisaidshift lever and extendingtransversely of sai'd hollow portion in engagement'with said slotsrespectively for'providing-an operable connection between said-rod andshift lever;

5 In a steering columnmounted control mechanism for selectivelyoperating speed ratio controls of a motor vehiole'tran'smission, a mainrotatableand reciprocatory control rod having its axisextendinggenerally longitudinally of the steering column and adapted'foroperative connection with the transmission, said rod having itsupp'erend provided with a lever portion rigidly connected to said rodand ofiset laterally therefrom, a' shift lever having an outer endportion adapted to be graspedby'the vehicle driver and a'h'ollow innerend portion within which said offset lever portion is disposed therebyhousing said lever portion within said hollowend portion and providingan operative connection between saidshiftleverand said offset leverportion such thatrotary shifting movements of said shift lever aboutsaid rod axis causesaid rod to rotate about said axis with said shiftlever, said hollow end portion" of the shift lever having" an openingthrough which said'rod extends, saidrod lever portion" having anelongated slot therethrough extending'along the axis of said rod and asecond slot opening laterally, outwardly in saidoffset lever" portiontransversely of the first said slot, and a' pair of pins carried by saidshift lever and extendingtransversely of said hollow portion inengagementwith' said slots respectively for'providin'g' an operableconnection between said rod and shift lever;

6. In a steering'column mounted control mechanism for selectivelyoperating speed ratio controls" of a motorvehicle transmission, a mainrotatable and reciprocatory control rod having its axis" extending"generally longitudinally of the steering column and adapted foroperative connection with the transmission, said rod having its upperend provided with a lever portion rigidly connected to said 'rod andoffset laterally therefrom, a shift lever'having an outer end portionadapted to be grasped by the vehicle driver and a' hollow inner-endportion within which said offset lever portion'is disposed therebyhousing said lever portion within said hollow end portion and providing,an operative connection between said shift lever 'an'dsai'd' ofisetlever portion such that rotary, shifting movements'of said shift leverabout said'rodaxis cause said-rod to rotate about said axis with saidshift lever, said hollow end portion offth e shift lever having'anopening through which saidrodextends, said rod lever portion having anelongated'slottherethroughextending'along the axls'of saidrod anda'second slot extending laterally in said offset lever portiontransverselyof thefirs't'saidslot, and a p'air'of pins carried by said shift leverand extending transversely of said hollow portion in engagement withsaid slots respectively-for providing an operable connection betweensaid'rod and shift lever.

7. In a steering column mounted control'mech anism. for selectivelyoperating speed ratio controls of a motor vehicle transmision, amainrotatable and rec-iprocatory control rodlhavingfiits axis parallel tosaidlsteerin jcolumn and adapted for operative connection. with thetransmission, means for mounting said rod'on said steering columncomprising a member fixed relative to the steering column and having anannular fulcrum surface adjacent said rod, said rod having its upper endprovided with an offset lever portion rigidly connected to said rod andextending in a direction perpendicular to said rod, a shift leverextending in a direction substantially parallel to said offset leverportion and provided with a rocker surface engaging said fulcrumsurface, said ofiset lever portion having a first elongated slot thereinextending along the axis of said rod, a first pin fastened to said shiftlever and engagin said slot, said offset lever portion having a secondelongated slot extending in a direction normal to said first slot, asecond pin fastened to said shift lever and engaging said second slot,whereby lifting of said shift lever will move said rocker surface onsaid fulcrum surface and impart vertical motion to said offset leverportion through said second pin, and means connecting said shift leverand said offset lever portion to transmit the motion of rotation of saidshift lever about the axis of said rod to said rod.

8. In a steering column mounted control mechanism for selectivelyoperating speed ratio controls of a motor vehicle transmission, a mainrotatable and reciprocatory control rod having its axis parallel to saidsteering column and adapted for operative connection With thetransmission, means for mounting said rod on said steering columncomprising a member fixed relative to the steering column and having anannular fulcrum surface adjacent said rod, said rod having its upper endprovided with an offset lever portion rigidly connected to said rod andextending in a direction perpendicular to said rod, a shift leverextending in a direction substantially parallel to said offset leverportion and provided with a rocker surface engaging said fulcrumsurface, said offset lever portion having a first elongated slot thereinextending along the axis of said rod, a first roller fastened to saidshift lever and engaging said slot, said offset lever portion having asecond elongated slot extending in a direction normal to said firstslot, a second roller fastened to said shift lever and engaging saidsecond slot, whereby lifting of said shift lever Will move said rockersurface on said fulcrum surface and impart vertical motion to saidoffset lever portion through said second roller, and means connectingsaid shift lever and said offset lever portion to transmit the motion ofrotation of said shift lever about the axis of said rod to said rod.

9. In a steering column mounted control mechanism for selectivelyoperating speed ratio controls of a motor vehicle transmission, a mainrotatable and reciprocatory control rod having its axis parallel to saidsteering column and adapted for operative connection with thetransmission, means for mounting said rod on said steering columncomprising a member fixed relative to the steering column and having anannular fulcrum surface adjacent said rod, said rod having its upper endprovided with an offset lever portion rigidly connected to said rod andextendin in a direction perpendicular to said rod, a shift leverextending in a direction substantially parallel to said offset leverportion and provided with a rocker surface engaging said fulcrumsurface, said offset lever portion having an elongated slot thereinextending along the axis of said rod, a first member carried by saidshift lever and engaging said slot, said offset lever portion having asubstantially straight surface extending in a direction perpendicular tothe axis of said rod, a second member carried by said shift lever, saidsecond member being disposed below and engaging said straight surfacewhereby a lifting force on said shift lever will move said rockersurface on said fulcrum surface and impart vertical motion to saidoffset lever portion through the engagement of said straight surface bysaid second member, spring means acting on said rod to reverse saidmovement when the lifting force is removed from said shift lever, andmeans connecting said shift lever and said offset lever portion totransmit the motion of rotation of said shift lever about the axis ofsaid rod to said rod.

10. In a steering column mounted control mechanism for selectivelyoperating speed ratio controls of a motor vehicle transmission, a mainrotatable and reciprocatory control rod having its axis parallel to saidsteering column and adapted for operative connection with thetransmission, means for mounting said rod on said steering columncomprising a member fixed relative to the steering column and having anannular fulcrum surface adjacent said rod, said rod having its upper endprovided with an offset lever portion rigidly connected to said rod andextending in a direction perpendicular to said rod, a shift leverextending in a direction substantially parallel to said offset leverportion and provided with a rocker surface engaging said fulcrumsurface, said offset lever portion having an elongated slot thereinextending along the axis of said rod, a first pin carried by said shiftlever and engaging said slot, said offset lever portion having asubstantially straight surface extending in a direction perpendicular tothe axis of said rod, a second pin carried by said shift lever, saidsecond pin being disposed below and engaging said straight surfacewhereby a lifting force on said shift lever will move said rockersurface on said fulcrum surface and impart vertical motion to saidoffset lever portion through the engagement of said straight surface bysaid second pin, spring means acting on said rod to reverse saidmovement when the lifting force is removed from said shift lever, andmeans connecting said shift lever and said offset lever portion totransmit the motion of rotation of said shift lever about the axisofsaid rod to said rod.

11. In a steering column mounted control mechanism for selectivelyoperating speed ratio controls of a motor vehicle transmission, a mainrotatable and reciprocatory control rod having its axis parallel to saidsteering column and adapted for operative connection with thetransmission, means for mounting said rod on said steering columncomprising a member fixed relative to the steering column and having anannular fulcrum surface adjacent said rod, said rod having its upper endprovided with an offset lever portion rigidly connected to said rod andextending in a direction perpendicular to said rod, 2, shift leverextending in a direction substantially parallel to said offset leverportion and provided with a rocker surface engagin said fulcrum surface,said offset lever portion having an elongated slot therein extendingalong the axis of said rod, a first roller carried. by said shift leverand engaging said slot, said offset lever portion having a substantiallystraight surface extending in a direction perpendicular to the of saidrod, a second roller carried by said shift lever, said second rollerbeing disposed below and engaging said straight surface whereby alifting force on said shift lever will move said frocker surface on saidfulcrumsurface andimpart vertical motion .to said offset lever portionthrough'the engagement of said straight surface by said .gecond roller,spring means acting on said rod to reverse said movement when the,

mechanismfor selectively operating speedratio controls of a motorvehicle transmission a. main rotatable and reciprocatory controlrodhaving its axis extending generally longitudinally of the steeringcolumn and adapted for operative connection with the transmission, meansfor mounting said rod on said steering column comprising a member fixedrelative to the steering column and having an annular fulcrum surfaceadjacent said rod, said rod having its upper end provided with a leverportion rigidly connected to said rod and offset laterally therefrom, ashift lever having an outer end portion adapted to be grasped by thevehicle driver and a hollow inner end portion within which said offsetlever portion is disposed thereby housing said lever portion within saidhollow end portion and providing an operative connection between saidshift lever and said offset lever portion such that rotary shiftingmovements of said shift lever about said rod axis cause said rod torotate about said axis with said shift lever, said shift lever beingprovided with a rocker surface engaging said fulcrum surface, saidhollow end portion of the shift lever having an opening through whichsaid rod extends, said operating lever and said offset lever portionbeing operatively connected to transmit to each other motion parallel tosaid rod axis, one of said levers being provided with an elongated slotsubstantially in the axis of said rod, the other of said levers carryinga member engaging said slot, one of said levers being provided with astraight surface offset from and perpendicular to said slot, the otherof said levers carrying a member disposed below and engaging saidstraight surface whereby a lifting force on said shift lever will movesaid rocker surface on said fulcrum surface and impart vertical motionto said offset lever portion, and spring means acting on said rod toreverse said movement when the lifting force is removed from said shiftlever.

13. In a steering column mounted control mechanism for selectivelyoperating speed ratio controls of a motor vehicle transmission, a mainrotatable and reciprocatory control rod having its axis extendinggenerally longitudinally of the steering column and adapted foroperative connection with the transmission, means for mounting said rodon said steering column comprising a member fixed relative to thesteering column and having an annular fulcrum surface adjacent said rod,said rod having its upper end provided with a lever portion rigidlyconnected to said rod and offset laterally therefrom, a shift leverhaving an outer end portion adapted to be grasped by the vehicle driverand a hollow inner end portion within which said offset lever portion isdisposed thereby housing said lever portion within said hollow endportion and providing an operative connection between said shift leverand said offset lever portion such that rotary shifting movements ofsaid shift lever about said rod axis cause said rod to rotate about saidaxis with said shift lever, said shift lever being proportion vided witha rocker surface engaging said ful- -crum:surface, said hollowtendportion of the shift leverzhavingan opening through-which saidrodextends, said-operating lever-and said ofiset lever being operativelyconnected to transmit ,toreach other'motionparallel to said rod axis,

'oneofsaid-leversbeing provided with an elongated slot substantially inI the axisof said 'rod,

theother of said-levers-carrying a pin engaging said slot, ,one ofsaid-levers being provided with a straight surface offset from-andperpendicular wtosai'd slot, the otherofsaidlevers carrying a pindisposed below and engaging said straight surface 1 whereby alifting'force on said; shift lever will move said rocker surface on said fulcrumsurface and impart vertical motion to said offset lever portion, andspring means acting on said rod to reverse said movement when thelifting force is removed from said shift lever.

14. In a steering column mounted control mechanism for selectivelyoperating speed ratio controls of a motor vehicle transmission, a mainrotatable and reciprocatory control rod having its axis extendinggenerally longitudinally of the steering column and adapted foroperative connection with the transmission, means for mounting said rodon said steering column comprising a member fixed relative to thesteering column and having an annular fulcrum surface adjacent said rod,said rod having its upper end provided with a lever portion rigidlyconnected to said rod and offset laterally therefrom, a shift leverhaving an outer end portion adapted to be grasped by the vehicle driverand a hollow inner end portion within which said offset lever portion isdisposed thereby housing said lever portion within said hollow endportion and providing an operative connection between said shift leverand said offset lever portion such that rotary shifting movements ofsaid shift lever about said rod axis cause said rod to rotate about saidaxis with said shift lever, said shift lever being provided with arocker surface engaging said fulcrum surface, said hollow end portion ofthe shift lever having an openin through which said rod extends, saidoperating lever and said offset lever portion being operativelyconnected to transmit to each other motion parallel to said rod axis,one of said levers being provided with an elongated slot substantiallyin the axis of said rod, the other of said levers carrying a rollerengaging said slot, one of said levers being provided with a straightsurface offset from and perpendicular to said slot, the other of saidlevers carrying a roller disposed below and engaging said straightsurface whereby a lifting force on said shift lever will move saidrocker surface on said fulcrum surface and impart vertical motion tosaid offset lever portion, and spring means acting on said rod toreverse said movement when the lifting force is removed from said shiftlever.

15. In a steering column mounted control.

mechanism for selectively operating speed ratio of a motor Vehicletransmission, a main rotatable and reciprocatory control rod having itsaxis parallel to said steering column and adapted for operativeconnection with the transmission,

means for mounting said rod on said steering 11 extending in a directionsubstantially parallel to said offset lever portion and provided with arocker surface engaging said fulcrum surface, said offset lever portionhaving a first elongated slot therein, a first member fastened to saidshift lever and slidably engaging said first slot, said offset leverportion havin a second elongated slot therein, a second member fastenedto said shift lever and engaging said second slot, whereby lifting ofsaid shift lever will move said rocker surface on said fulcrum surfaceand impart vertical motion to said offset lever portion through saidsecond member, and means connecting said shift lever and said offsetlever portion to trans- 12 mit the motion of rotation of said shiftlever about the axis of said rod to said rod.

JAY C. AUTEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 Number Name Date 2,182,252 Dolza et a1. Dec, 5,1939 2,235,975 Best Z. Mar. 25, 1941 2,303,787 Burd Dec. 1, 1942Certificate of Correction 5 Patent No. 2,432,710; December 16, 1947.

JAY C. AUTEN It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printedspecification of the above numbered patent requiring correction asfollows: Column 3, hne 47, after the word it thruet insert on; column 5,line 4, for fliver read lever; and that the said LettersPatentfih'ouldbe read with these corrections therein that the same mayconform to the record of the case in the Patent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this 27th day of April, A. D. 1948.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Commissioner 0 f Patents.

